Product Description

Uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations as NOVA journeys to an archaeological site where teams of experts use traditional techniques to test their hypotheses. Explore the magnificent mountainside citadels-- and marvel as villagers create a 150-foot suspension bridge using nothing but grass.

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10 reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

Great Summary of Incan Architecture Through Experimental ArchaeologyDec 11 2008

By
Mme. Calico
- Published on Amazon.com

This is an excellent example of experimental archaeology, especially in the attempts of the researchers to figure out both how the Incas moved several ton blocks, but also how they shaped them into interlocking walls for their architecture. The archaeologist on hand attempts to use hammer and pressure flaking techniques. The sweeping views of the mountains are beautiful. Later, people native to the area work to create a traditional rope bridge made of dried grass. Fascinating! This was required viewing for an archaeology class, but I brought it home and my 8 year old daughter watched it with me. We both couldn't get enough! It's a shame they didn't have time to talk more about the counting and record-keeping systems used by the Incas, but it did at least answer the question of how they did so without having a writing system.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

An Excellent Addition To The NOVA Lost Empires SeriesNov. 1 2013

By
Zarathustra
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This NOVA documentary is one of the best I have seen. I traveled to South America after 2 years in the Peace Corps in the Caribbean. In Peru I visited the Inca capital Cuzco and the lost city Machu Picchu. This documentary shows a group of Inca citizens moving huge stones as their ancestors might have done and making a rope ladder made of grass as the ancient Incas might have done. I hope this documentary would interest you to visit Peru, one of the great empires of the world.I have only one complaint: the announcers insist in calling the Inca beast of burden the Llama a Lama. The correct pronunciation of llama is "yama" because the double l in Spanish is the same as the letter y in English. Come on guys: get it right.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

NOVA-- secrets of lost empires--incaAug. 6 2014

By
Jane Austen
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I absolutely love this DVD. I show it every year in my classroom when we study the Inca. I find my students are always riveted with the discussions about how Inca did their stonework. My the way-- this is a middle school classroom.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Inca technologyAug. 1 2012

By
darthgader
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This CD demonstrates the most likely techniques used by the Incas to cut and move stones, build bridges etc. Inca stonework is still incredible, but this CD proves that space aliens, lasers, etc. are not necessary to explain it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Who Knew?May 13 2013

By
Tony Owen
- Published on Amazon.com

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Interesting information on the probable "how" stones were moved from one location to another; how they were shaped and put in place at places like Machu Picchu. The building of the straw bridge is quite fascinating.